Tuesday in Milan, FN Emerging Talent panelist and shoe designer Nicolò Giannico Beretta was announced as the winner of Vogue Italia‘s “Who Is On Next?” contest — an important platform for accessory and footwear names to get noticed.
Led by Editor-in-Chief Franca Sozzani, a starry group of judges presided over the annual awards. This year’s jury included Valentino’s Pierpaolo Piccioli, Silvia Venturini Fendi, Suzy Menkes and Miroslava Duma. Sozzani and Fendi were on hand to bestow the 19-year-old Beretta with his prize, which includes mentorship and a collaboration with TheCorner.com. More than 50 new designers competed for the award.
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With Lady Gaga recently wearing his shoes and influential retailers picking up the line, things are certainly on the upswing for the Italian designer. FN checked in exclusively Beretta right after he took home the top prize.
What does this award mean for you and your business?
“First of all, it’s just amazing to win such a prestigious prize at just 19. For me, it means the world to feel sustained and appreciated by people like Franca Sozzani, Pierpaolo Piccoli, Miroslava Duma, Suzy Menkes and the rest of the jury.”
What kind of feedback from did you receive from the judges?
“I received a great feedback from them: They loved the irony of Giannico and how it’s communicated. Franca Sozzani said before announcing me as the winner that I have the strength to be a ‘media personality’ and this means a lot today in the world we live in. I was very happy to hear those words from her.”
What did it feel like to win?
“Just incredible. I feel blessed.”
How do you hope this will affect your brand?
“I’m sure this success will have a positive reaction on the business — we already have many requests from prestigious buyers around the globe.”
What’s next?
“Definitely to affirm my label worldwide. I would like to also expand into bags.”
